"A HARDY ANNUAL."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19072, 17 July 1925, Page 10

"A HARDY ANNUAL."

SCHOOL COMMITTEE FUNDS.

THE MINISTER IS CRITICAL;

GOING BEYOND FUNCTIONS.

[I)Y TELEGRAPH. —SrECIAL RETORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday.

A request for an increased c.ipitation grant for tho cleaning of school buildings and for tho provision of stationery, fuel and water services was made to the Minister for Education this morning by a large deputation representing tho Wellington School Committees' Association. The burden of tho complaint was that the present capitation grant was insufficient to enable school committees to pay tho ordinary incidental expenses. It was stated that tho average school committee was absolutely bankrupt It was said that tho auditor of tho Miramar School Committoo's accounts insisted upon moneys from the special account, contributed to by householders, being used to reduce the deficit for the year. " The department is killing the gooso that laid the golden' eggs,'' remarked one speaker. " This subject," said Sir James Parr, in reply, " is, of course, almost a hardy annual." He went on to explain that a certain amount of money was allocated annually by tho Government to education boards for tho purpose of school cleaning, fuel, water services and stationery. Other work, however, such as repairs, tho committees were not obliged to do and should not do.

" I think tho difficulty arises from the fact that you try to do more than you are obliged to do with the money," said the Minister. "If you stick to tho purposes provided for in schedule A, I venture the opinion that most of tho committees with tho extra grant that wo havo just mado ought to get along pretty well."

In conclusion ho said he would look through tho balance-sheets of tho local schools referred to and lie would be glad to discuss their difficulties further at tho education boards' conference.